Outcomes of minimally invasive double valve surgery

Abstract

Background: Double valve surgery is associated with an increased peri-operative morbidity and mortality. A less invasive right thoracotomy approach may be a viable alternative to median sternotomy surgery in these higher-risk patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the baseline demographics, operative characteristics, and postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent minimally invasive double valve surgery between January 2009 and December 2011 at our institution. Results: The cohort consisted of 117 patients, of which 68 (58.1%) were female. The mean age was 73±11 years, and the mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 52±11%. There were 43 (36.8%) patients with a history of congestive heart failure, 45 (38.5%) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and 5 (4.3%) had a history of chronic kidney disease. The patients underwent primary (90.6%) or re-operative (9.4%) double valve surgery, which consisted of 50 (42.7%) aortic valve replacement and mitral valve repair, 31 (26.5%) mitral and tricuspid valve repair, 18 (15.4%) aortic and mitral valve replacement, 17 (14.5%) mitral valve replacement with tricuspid valve repair, and 1 (0.9%) aortic valve replacement with tricuspid valve repair. Post-operatively, there were 40 (34.2%) cases of prolonged ventilation, 9 (7.7%) acute kidney injury, 6 (5.1%) re-operations for bleeding, 1 (0.9%) cerebrovascular accident, and 15 (12.8%) cases of atrial fibrillation. The mean total hospital length of stay was 12±12 days, with an in-hospital mortality of 2 (1.7%). Conclusions: A minimally invasive right thoracotomy approach to primary or re-operative double valve surgery is feasible, may be utilized with acceptable peri-operative morbidity and mortality.